-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Actress Angelina Jolie is missing the premiere of her own film Unbroken because she says she has been diagnosed with chickenpox .

She made the announcement in a video in which pink spots were visible on her face , neck and upper body .

`` I just wanted to be clear and honest about why I will be missing the ` Unbroken ' events in the next few days , which is that I found out last night that I have chickenpox . So , I will be home itching and missing everyone . And I ca n't believe it 'cause this film means so much to me , '' she says in the video published to Universal Studios Entertainment 's verified Facebook page on Friday .

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease . It is caused by the varicella zoster virus .

Babies who do n't get vaccine still benefit

The virus causes an itchy blister-like rash that can be dangerous , particularly for people who get it late in life .

It is an airborne virus , so that means it can spread by breathing in the virus particles that come from the chicken pox blisters .

Chickenpox has become more rare since so many children have been vaccinated for it . The vaccine first became available in 1995 .

Prior to availability of the vaccine , about 4 million people would catch it each year , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . About 100 to 150 died each year . More than half of those deaths involved adults . For adults who get chickenpox , there can be more serious complications like pneumonia . It can also be more severe for infants who get it .

For most people , especially for otherwise healthy children , it is a mild disease .

Other symptoms include a loss of appetite , headache , tiredness and fever .

Angelina Jolie fascinating photograph

If you 've been vaccinated for it you should be immune . Typically , children get a first round of the vaccine when they are 12 to 15 months old . They get a second dose between the age of 4 and 6 .

If you 've had chickenpox before , you should have immunity for life .

If you have n't had it , and you have n't been vaccinated , it is not too late . The CDC suggests even as an adult you should talk to your doctor about getting the vaccine .

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Actress Angelina Jolie will miss her premiere due to a case of the chickenpox

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It 's good that she is staying home since the virus is highly contagious

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Spreads by air ; dangerous to adults who have n't had it before or who have n't been vaccinated